# Kapikachhu

> Kapikachhu (Mucuna pruriens) is a plant used in Ayurveda. Co-administration with carbidopa analogs or natural decarboxylase inhibitors (green tea catechins) enhances central L-DOPA delivery. Milk as anupana provides amino acid buffering and improves tolerability.

## Key facts

- **Botanical name:** Mucuna pruriens

## Names and identification

| Language | Name |
|----------|------|
| English | Kapikachhu |

## Ayurvedic pharmacology (Dravyaguna)

| Property | Value | Description |
|----------|-------|-------------|
| **Rasa** (Taste) | Madhura | Primary taste |
| **Guna** (Quality) | Snigdha | Physical quality |
| **Virya** (Potency) | Ushna | Heating/Cooling effect |
| **Vipaka** (Post-digestive) | Madhura | Post-digestive effect |

## Dosage forms and preparation

**Dosage Forms:** Churna (powder), Capsule, Tablet, Kwatha (decoction), Granules, Beeja Churna (seed powder)

**Standard Dosage:** 3-6 g seed powder twice daily with milk or warm water; 500 mg standardized extract capsule twice daily

**Bioavailability:** L-DOPA (3-6% in seeds) has good oral bioavailability (~30-40%) but undergoes significant peripheral decarboxylation. Co-administration with carbidopa analogs or natural decarboxylase inhibitors (green tea [catechins](/glossary/compounds-c-d/#catechins)) enhances central L-DOPA delivery. Milk as anupana provides amino acid buffering and improves tolerability. Mucuna pruriens seed coat removal increases L-DOPA extraction efficiency.

**Optimal Timing:** With meals (preferably with warm milk) to reduce nausea; for Parkinsonism support, timed dosing to complement medication schedule; evening dosing for reproductive health

**Standardized Extract:** Standardized to minimum 15% L-DOPA by HPLC for therapeutic extracts; minimum 3.5% L-DOPA for whole seed powder; total alkaloid content >0.5%

**Shelf Life:** 18 months for powder (L-DOPA degradation); 24 months for capsules and tablets with [antioxidant](/reference/antioxidant/) stabilization; 36 months for standardized extracts in nitrogen-flushed packaging

**Storage:** Store in nitrogen-flushed, airtight, light-resistant containers at 15-25°C. L-DOPA degrades rapidly in presence of oxygen, moisture, and light. Desiccant mandatory. Shelf-life testing should monitor L-DOPA content at 3-month intervals.

**Marker Compounds:** L-DOPA (Levodopa), 5-HTP (5-Hydroxytryptophan), Mucunine, Mucunadine, Prurienine, Beta-[sitosterol](/glossary/compounds-q-t/#sitosterol), [Serotonin](/glossary/compounds-q-t/#serotonin)

### Extraction Methods

- Aqueous extraction (traditional decoction)
- Hydroalcoholic extraction (50% ethanol) for balanced alkaloid-flavonoid profile
- Acid-water extraction (0.1N HCl) for maximum L-DOPA yield
- Enzymatic extraction with cellulase for cell wall disruption
- Spray drying for instant granule preparation

### Synergistic Combinations

- [Ashwagandha](/herb/ashwagandha/) for male reproductive health and stress adaptation
- [Gokshura](/herb/gokshura/) for [aphrodisiac](/glossary/pharmacology/#aphrodisiac) and urinary health synergy
- [Shatavari](/herb/shatavari/) for comprehensive reproductive tonic
- Vidarikanda for anabolic and rejuvenative effects
- Safed Musli for spermatogenic potentiation

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Canonical version of this page: https://nighantu.ageayurveda.com/herb/kapikachhu/

## Sources

- Amidha Ayurveda Herb Database (700+ herbs, CC-BY-4.0)
- Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India

Published by Age Ayurveda in the Nighantu. Educational reference only, not medical advice.
Incorporates material from the Amidha Ayurveda Herb Database under CC BY 4.0.